Michael On The Move: Exploring France

Hi all, 

Welcome back to the next edition of my column. Sorry about the slight delay, but we’re back on track now! I hope you all enjoyed reading about the USA and perhaps even thinking about a cheeky Coachella trip next year. 

For this edition, I wanted to return to Europe and focus on a place I visited a few years ago. This country is fairly close to England and is known for a certain tower and Disney. Its staple foods include buttery pastries, cheeses and cream, not to mention its wine and coffees. According to FIFA, it also has the highest-ranked football team in the world and is pretty good at rugby too. Of course, I’m talking about France!  

When deciding where in France to write about, I was truly spoilt for choice. I could have focussed on the capital, Paris, with must-see landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame, or perhaps Nice with its charming Old Town, narrow shaded streets and local shops. Instead, I decided to turn my attention to Marseille. 

[Calanques National Park] was the first national park in Europe to combine land, sea, island and peri-urban areas.

Before discussing what Marseille has to offer, I just want to point out that although some rankings place it as the most dangerous city in Europe, I personally never felt threatened during my visit. Admittedly, I mainly stayed in the touristy areas and did not go out late at night, but from reading the testimonies of other travellers, it seemed that most concerns are focused on the northern quarters of the city, far from the main tourist spots. Of course, as with any major city, it’s important to stay sensible and keep your wits about you if you decide to explore Marseille. 

I’d recommend finding accommodation around the Vieux Port, the vibrant heart of the city and home to many of its top sights. From here, you can take boat tours to the Calanques National Park and the Château d’if. The Park is a protected marine and terrestrial area on the Mediterranean coast and was the first national park in Europe to combine land, sea, island and peri-urban areas. It is around 5,000 hectares and covers 20km of coastline. Here, you can try to spot some of the 80 or so bird species, 900 plant species and 60 marine species as well as the park’s wide variety of reptiles.

The park offers a welcome escape from the bustling city and is a must for nature lovers. Meanwhile the Château provides an interesting contrast. Built by Francis I of France in 1516 to defend the coast, it also served as a prison to detain political prisoners and detainees during a revolution. Now, tourists come to the Château not only to explore its fascinating history, but also to enjoy the stunning views of Marseille.   

If you don’t fancy a boat trip, mainland Marseille still has plenty to offer

If you don’t fancy a boat trip, mainland Marseille still has plenty to offer. I’d highly  recommend a visit to the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, and it seems many others agree, considering it won a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award in 2026! The site began as a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary in 1214. In 1536, it became part of a military fortification due to its strategic position on a hill, making it useful for defensive purposes. The chapel was eventually replaced in 1853 by a much larger church, which took over a decade to complete. The basilica we see today is actually a heavily restored version, after the original structure suffered significant damage during the Second World War.

Today, visitors can explore the church itself as well as a nearby museum, which hosts a range of exhibitions, including a current display on Provencal earthenware.  So, if you’re anything like me and enjoy history, as well as visiting a beautiful church while on holiday, then the basilique is definitely worth a stop. 

Like so many of these column pieces, I’ve once again run out space! There was so much more I could have mentioned, from taking a trip to the Stade Vélodrome to watch Olympique de Marseille play football, to exploring Le Panier, the city’s oldest neighbourhood. Although hopefully, I’ve managed to show that Marseille is definitely worth considering and why it could make the perfect destination for your next short European break!

Until next time…